Indonesia meets Pakistan in Asian Cup final
Indonesia meets Pakistan in Asian Cup final
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Pakistan are set for a final
showdown in the fourth Asian Cup Baseball Championship at Bung
Karno Baseball Stadium on Sunday.
Winner of the second division's final is promoted to first
division and competes at the Asian Baseball Championship in March
in Taipei.
Indonesia defeated Thailand 14-10 in Saturday's semifinals in
a nine-inning match.
Hitting first, Indonesia scored four runs when cleanup hitter
Lukmanul Hakim sent the ball out of the park, driving home second
hitter Michael Trisnadi and third hitter Andryo Haripradono.
Gunawan Pramono added another run after being sent home by
Jericho Gaffar for a 4-0 lead.
At the bottom of the first, Thailand scored a run through
Niyom Chantasila when Teerasak Kongsabai was on the plate,
closing the gap to 4-1.
The Indonesian team failed to score any runs in the second and
third innings, giving the Thais a chance to take over the lead
after scoring four runs.
Aphicat Ngamying drove Panya Prayonghom home from third in the
second inning, reducing the gap 4-2. In the third inning,
Kongsabai made a double hit to second while sending Panick
Somnasang home. Kongsabai was driven home by Pairot Ruxsasri to
equalize the score 4-4.
With Anusorn Montree on the plate, Ruxsasri added another run
to take the lead 5-4 with two down. However, Montree was out.
Indonesia regained its lead in the fourth inning when Michael
sent the ball over the fence, sending Tony Pribadi home to take
the lead 6-5 with two down. Lukmanul Hakim then sent Andryo home
to widen the gap 7-5.
Both teams produced four runs each in the fifth inning.
At top of the inning, Tony Pribadi sent another ball over
fence, sending home Gilberto Sajogo and Yuno Dewanto at two down.
Michael added one more with Andryo on the plate for a 11-5 lead.
Thailand managed to reduce the deficit when Prayonghom sent
Somanasang and Kongsabai home at the bottom of the inning.
Prayonghom was later driven home with Ruxsasri by Ngamying
reducing the deficit to 11-9.
Indonesia scored another run when Gilberto sent Gunawan home.
Both teams made one run each in the seventh inning.
Gunawan sent Michael home at top of the inning while Ruxsasri
scored Thailand's last run when Montree was on the plate for 13-
10.
With a scoreless eighth inning, Indonesia scored its last run
in the ninth inning when Andryo was sent home by Gilberto for a
14-10 lead.
Thailand failed to add more runs at the bottom of the inning,
even with bases full.
In earlier semis, Pakistan beat Hong Kong in a close match
ending 5-4 in favor of Pakistan.
Indonesian coach Rachmad Nasir told reporters, "It was an
interesting game because we have similar strengths but we were
better in batting and pitching management. Both teams were
engaged in a duel of strategies."
Thailand's coach, Songpon Rujivong, told The Jakarta Post that
his team was outclassed by Indonesia due to lack of experience.
"Not only is Indonesia's team very strong but they are also
getting better day by day during the event. We need to have more
gaming experience," he said.
Hong Kong and Thailand will play for third place on Sunday
morning, while Indonesia will challenge hot favorite Pakistan in
the afternoon's final. (nvn)